Tag Archives: wood door

When trying to decide which type of security door to buy knowing the difference between a fiberglass door and a wood door can be helpful. Both doors can look very much alike in appearance but there are several differences between the two. It’s very important to research and find out which door is the best door for what you want it used for.

Appearance
Both wood and fiberglass doors can be refinished, sanded and painted and when finished, it can be difficult to tell which is which. However, a wood door can fade or peel over time and a fiber glass door doesn’t have this problem. However, some people just like the feel of real wood especially when it needs to match trim and other wood areas.

Installation
Installing a wood door is usually a fairly easy process. If the door doesn’t fit it can be cut to fit, planed down or shimmed to fit almost any opening. A fiberglass door can be a little more difficult to work with. The door has to be ordered the exact size to fit. It can’t be planed or sanded down to fit into an opening. Adding hardware or deadbolts are also more difficult to install.

Maintenance
Fiberglass is very strong and it will last longer than wood. Fiberglass won’t bubble, crack or peel. However, a wood door may absorb water and become warped or form bubbles on the door. Also if a wood door isn’t properly maintained, it can rot. Fiberglass doors are hard to scratch and dent plus its energy efficient.

Other comparisons
Other comparisons between the two doors are that fiberglass won’t expand and then contract. This means that when the weather changes, a fiberglass door won’t stick to the door frame and it also won’t allow either hot or cold air to escape outside. Wood doors can move which cause unfinished area to show. The unfinished areas then may crack if exposed to unseasonable weather. These cracks may also allow cold or hot air to go through the cracks.

When choosing either a wood door or a fiberglass door, make your decision wisely for the area that you are deciding on.